Ireland is a country of many names. For such a small island it bears an incredibly wide and varied array of titles, from the Ould Sod to the Emerald Isle, the Land of Saints and Scholars to Inishfail, and from Hibernia to Scotia, to name but a few.

The stamp pictured above is one from 1922 and it bears the title “Saorstát Éireann” (pronounced Sayre-staw-tch Air-ann) which in the Irish language means the Irish Free State.

For all the grammar buffs out there, Éireann is the genetive or possessive case of Éire.

Éire:

In 1937 the Irish government adopted a new constitution claiming the whole island as its territory and the state’s name officially became Ireland in the English language and Éire in the Irish language. You may not be surprised to learn that this name has roots in old Irish mythology.

Way back when, at the time when Ireland was ruled by faeries and druids, three sister goddesses ruled the roost around this little green island we all love. Each of these magical, mystical queens thought it would be wonderful to have the whole island named after her.

And of course, they couldn’t negotiate who most deserved this amazing honor, so they turned to the Bard of Armagh to help them make the decision.

Éirinn is originally a locative or dative form of the noun Éire, but it has been adopted as the normal name for Ireland in the Irish language by most native Irish speakers, although dictionaries still refer to the politically accepted form, Éire.

And so, either Éirinn or Éire is acceptable as the Irish language translation of Ireland, but Éireann is always the possessive case.

And there you have it – my explanation for the differences between Éire, Éirinn, and Éireann – clear as mud.

The Irish Republic:

In 1949 the Irish state became a republic and the term Republic of Ireland was first adopted to refer to the 26 counties in the south.

Northern Ireland was used to describe the six counties under British rule and still today, Northern Ireland refers to the counties of Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh, and Tyrone.

Southern Ireland was established by the British under the Government of Ireland Act, introduced on the 3rd of May 1921. It covered the 26 counties currently in the Republic of Ireland. It never truly functioned as a political entity because of the Irish War of Independence. In 1922 it was replaced by the Irish Free State.

However the term Southern Ireland is still used by many English people, who often ask Irish people if they are from Southern Ireland. This is a name Irish people never liked, and so I always advise people to avoid using it.

Greek Names for Ireland:

Now as we know from Homer’s Odyssey and the ancient cartographer Ptolemy, the Greeks loved to travel. When recounting tales of their journeys they came up with new names for the green island far away at the edge of their world.

The names Iournia, or Ivernia were coined by the Greeks and these are thought to have derived from descriptions of the island as a fertile country.

Iverni, is a term the Greeks used to name a people who lived in Ireland. Ptolemy used the term Iverni to name the people of south western Ireland, and the term came to apply to the good folks who called Munster home. The Ring of Kerry encompasses the Iveragh penisnula on the western coast of Munster.

Ierne is another form of Ivernia used by the Greeks. In Greek mythology the Argonauts traveled past the Island Iernis, and this is believed to refer to our beloved Ireland. This first known reference to the whole island of Ireland under the name Iernis dates back over 3000 years.

In Homer’s Odyssey, Ogygia is an island home to the nymph Calypso, the daughter of the Titan Atlas or Atlantis. Now some believe the lost city of Atlantic lies off the Irish coast and that Ogygia may refer to Ireland.

In 1685 Roderick O’Flaherty wrote his book Ogygia: A Chronological Account of Irish Events, attributing Homer’s Ogygia to the island of Ireland.

Roman or Latin Names For Ireland:

Now if the Greeks were going to get in on the act of naming Ireland, then the Romans weren’t going to be left behind. The Romans never conquered Ireland, but they were well aware of our existence.

The name they christened this little island, lying just outside their Empire, was Hibernia. The word hibernate derives from the same Latin origin, and means wintry. It is believed the Romans decided not to invade this damp, wet, and cold country. They didn’t fancy dealing with winter chilblains.

Those who are poetically inclined have a very soft spot for the term Hibernia.

And there is a soccer team called Hibernia that still plays in the Scottish football league.

Muicinis:

Muicinis was a name given to Ireland by the children of Míleadh who are said to have come from Spain and eventually settled in Ireland.

Before they finally arrived here for good, they ventured very close to the island along the coast of County Wexford. The Tuatha Dé Danann saw them coming and used their mystical powers to make the island invisible.

The Milesians looked at Ireland and saw a pig. The Gaelic or Irish word for pig is muc, and so the sons of Mil named Ireland, Muicinis (pronounced mick-in-ish), or the island of the pig.

Scotia:

After settling in Ireland the Sons of Míleadh decided their new home was not a pig after all, and named their beloved island after their mother Scota. She was the daughter of Pharaoh Nectonibus, and she hailed from the Scottish race from Scythia.

The term Scots was applied to the people of Ireland right up until the Middle Ages, and their home was called Scotia. The Romans had to deal with Irish raiders when they ruled most of Europe and they called these Celtic nuisances Scotii. This name may derive from a Latin word meaning dark or misty.

These magical settlers of Ireland brought a mystical stone to the island called the Lia Fáil (pronounced lee-ah fawl) or the Stone of Destiny. This pillar stood at Tara and when a king was to be chosen to rule over the people, the candidates touched the stone.

Under the touch of the rightful king it was said the stone would make a roaring sound.

Inis Ealga:

Inis Ealga (pronounced inn-ish al-gah) is another Irish term and it means the noble or excellent island. This is translated into Latin as Insula Nobilis.

Other Latin writers in the first milennium referred to Ireland as Insula Sanctorum or the Island of Saints.

Excerpt from The Book of Kells

Others preferred the title Insula Doctorum or the Island of the Learned.

In modern times these two titles have been combined into the poetic description of this land as the Island of Saints and Scholars.

Mother Ireland

People refer to their country of origin as either the fatherland or motherland. Ireland is always female, and when returning back to Ireland, Irish Americans always say they are returning to the motherland.

Ireland’s identification as a woman is personified in other female names for the island. These include names such as My Dark Rosaleen or Roisin Dubh, Cathleen Ni Houlihan, Mother Eire and the Sean Bhean Bhocht (pronounced shan van vuckt) which means the poor old woman.

These female personas for Ireland create a romantic vision of the country. When Ireland was ruled by Britain this female representation became a hallmark of nationalism. Poor old Mother Ireland was desperately in need of protection and for her brave sons to rise up to intervene on her behalf.

William Butler Yeats wrote a one-act play with Lady Gregory called Cathleen Ní Houlihan, which was first performed in 1902. Set at the time of the 1798 Rebellion, the heroine Cathleen Ní Houlihan represented an independent Ireland.

The Emerald Isle:

The Emerald Isle is a tribute to the green fields of Ireland and their forty shades of green, made famous by Johnny Cash.

And the Ould Sod or Auld Sod is a reference to Ireland as a homeland, a country of origin.

Conclusion:

And so, before we finish let’s recap all the names for Ireland we reviewed in this post. Here’s a quick reference list:

County Longford lies at the heart of Ireland and is steeped in ancient Irish mythology and lore. From the reedy shores of Lough Gowna to the banks of the River Shannon, the quiet countryside of County Longford overflows with rural charm.

Located In The Province Of Leinster:

Known in days gone by as the Land of Annaly, a common nickname for County Longford is “O’Farrell County.” You’ve guessed it – in day’s gone by the O’Farrell clan were in charge in this neck of the woods.

Most of this inland county lies in the basin of the River Shannon. Lough Ree one of the big lakes on the River Shannon forms much of the county’s western boundary.

Longford’s landscape is generally low-lying, and features acres of pastureland, bogland and lakes.

Longford Town:

The county takes its name from its principal town, Longford. The word longfort is derived from the Viking word for a safe harbor, or a stronghold.

The town boasts wide streets and many buildings date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. The 200 foot tower of St. Mel’s Cathedral dominates the town.

Flowing for over 90 miles (146 km), the canal is now navigable from Spencer Dock in Dublin to Richmond Harbour in Clondra, County Longford, the point where the Royal Canal meets the River Shannon.

This historic waterway is a wonderful amenity for the people of Longford, providing incredible opportunities for water leisure activities, not to mention the enjoyment of walking its peaceful banks.

Ballinamuck:

The village of Ballinamuck is well known to students of Irish history.

The very last battle of the 1798 Rising of the Irish against British rule took place here in County Longford.

Gereral Cornwallis, whose British forces were defeated during the American Revolutionary war, did not meet a similar fate in Ireland. He led the British army against a combined Irish and French force at the Battle of Ballinamuck.

French battle survivors were sent home but the Irish survivors were shown no mercy. They were hunted down and executed in the nearby village of Ballinalee

Ballinamuck Visitor Centre houses an excellent exhibition which details the Battle of Ballinamuck and the 1798 Rising. Visitors learn about the social and political history of the era, and the significance of this battle for Ireland, Europe and the rest of the world.

Trails lead visitors to the battle sites and the ‘Croppies’ Graves’ can be visited.

The name “Croppy” is used to describe the United Irishmen who fought in the 1798 Rebellion. The Society of United Irishmen cut their hair in a closely cropped style in opposition to the aristocratic fashion of wearing powdered wigs. However, such short haircuts aroused the suspicions of the English and Irish ‘croppies’ were often seized for interrogation and tortured. Most were brutally killed in the days and years after the 1798 Rising.

The Ballinamuck Visitor Centre is housed in a barracks built for the Royal Irish Constabulary in 1846 to help counter insurrection and to monitor the people of North Longford who were feared by the British for their revolutionary nature.

Corlea Trackway:

The Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre explores the significance of a pre-historic roadway discovered at the site in 1984.

An Iron Age trackway of large oak planks was discovered in the bog at Corlea, near the village of Kenagh, and dates back to 148 BC.

These wooden tracks survived through thousands of years, buried beneath bog peat. It is believed the ancient roadway was built to allow passage of wheeled vehicles. It is the biggest and heaviest prehistoric roadway ever discovered in Europe.

The Corlea Exhibition Centre is built on the exact axis of the trackway with an 18 metre stretch of the preserved roadway on permanent display.

A boardwalk across the bogland allows visitors to follow the course of Iron Age man. This modern track has been built along the course of the ancient roadway.

Granard:

The town of Granard is home to the remains of an Anglo-Norman Motte and Bailey. Built around 1199 by the Norman Knight, Richard de Tuite, it is one of the best examples of these earthen fortifications in Ireland.

Learning about motte-and-bailey castles was part of our Irish history curriculum when I was a youngster in Ireland. The Motte was a huge circular earthen mound with a wooden or stone castle built on top. It was surrounded by a bailey or courtyard with a protective ditch and palisade or protective fence.

It is said that Granard’s Motte and Bailey was erected upon and within a pre-existing ringfort or rath, much to the chagrin of the Celtic O’Farrell clan. Local folklore claims there is a fairy castle concealed within the mound. Other stories recount tales of vast stores of fairy gold.

A statue of St. Patrick was erected on the mound in 1932, and our beloved saint has a magnificent vista. Standing at 534 feet above sea level he has scenic views of many lakes and surrounding counties.

Ardagh Heritage Village:

Ardagh is a charming, picturesque village with many beautiful Victorian buildings.

It’s history however dates back way past the 19th century to pre-Christian times. A forested hill called Brí Leith (pronounced Bree Leh) was once a famous center for Celtic religious worship.

Ardagh was an important center for Christian worship and Saint Patrick himself visited many times. He appointed his nephew Saint Mel as the Bishop of Ardagh and the Abbott of the Monastery of Ardagh. The revered Saint Mel is said to be buried beneath the ruins of his church at Ardagh, and Longford’s Cathedral bears his name.

In the early 1700’s the Fetherston family moved to Ardagh and built their home on their estate. They were improving landlords and redesigned the village itself. Beautiful Victorian buildings survive to this very day.

Lady Fetherston built the homes for her tenants and was inspired by the neat order of Swiss town planning.

The Fetherston family home, Ardagh House, was once mistaken for an inn by the famous English writer, Oliver Goldsmith (1728 – 1774), who was born in County Longford. The young poet thought the Fetherston daughters were servants, an incident which inspired his famous play, ‘She Stoops to Conquer.’

Goldsmith’s writings were inspired by many locations in County Longford.

Edgeworthstown:

The town of Edgeworthstown is most famous as the home of the celebrated Anglo Irish author Maria Edgeworth (1768 – 1849), and her family. The Edgeworth family first made their home in the area in 1583.

Richard Lovell Edgeworth was an ingenious and eccentric inventor and surveyor. Maria was one of his 22 children and was keenly interested in the Irish and their way of life. Her novels, of which ‘Castle Rackrent’ may be the most famous, immortalize life on small, rural Irish estates in the early 19th century.

Lough Gowna:

The lake’s name means calf lake in Irish. It derives from a legend about a supernatural calf which escaped from a well south of the lake and raced northward. The well water streamed after the calf and flooded the area to form the lake.

Lough Ree:

Lough Ree is the second largest lake on the River Shannon and forms the western boundary of County Longford.

It was here that Abbot Augustin Magraidin authored his manuscript collection of the lives of Irish Saints ‘Vitae Sanctorum Hiberniae.’ This important work is now preserved in the Rawlinson collection of manuscripts in the Bodleian Library, Oxford.

The Monastery flourished until the time of the suppression of all Irish and English monasteries by the infamous Henry the VIII and continued by his daughter, Elizabeth I, who is not-so-lovingly called ‘Good Queen Bess’ in Ireland.

Today, the ruins of this ancient place are a memorial to Ireland once known as ‘The Land of Saints and Scholars.’ This spiritual place is perfect for contemplation and for many is one of Ireland’s thin places.

Abbeyderg Abbey:

The ruins of the Augustinian Priory of Abbeyderg is located outside the village of Kenagh. The priory was founded in the 13th century and dedicated to St Peter.

Aughnacliff Dolmen:

Another dolmen in the area, called the Cleenrath Dolmen is known locally as ‘Leaba Diarmuid agus Gráinne’, which means ‘the bed of Diarmuid and Gráinne’.

Gráinne was the daughter of the High King of Ireland and was supposed to marry Finn McCool. However she fell in love with one of Finn’s warriors called Diarmuid, and the pair ran off together. Finn went in hot pursuit and the two spent many nights lying beneath Ireland’s dolmens. One such dolmen remains noted in local Longford lore as the Cleenrath Dolmen.

Myths And Legends:

County Longford has strong associations with the legendary Queen Maeve of Connacht. The epic Celtic tale, An Táin Bo Cuailgne, (pronounced Tawn Bow Koo-in-eh) tells the story of how Queen Maeve stole the coveted Brown Bull of Cooley from Ulster. On her pilfering journey she overnighted with her armies in Granard.

But County Longford brought no luck to the mighty Queen Maeve because she met her death while bathing on the island of Inis Clothran on Lough Ree. She was killed by her very own nephew who is supposedly buried on Cairn Hill, Longford’s highest point.

Queen Meave and the Druid from The Boy’s Cuchulainn by Eleanor Hull 1904

Another mythical tale from Longford is the legend of Midhir and Étain set at the hill of Brí Leith in Ardagh. This is a love story known as ‘The Wooing of Étain’ and this mythical tale spans over a thousand years.

It recounts the many lives and loves of the beautiful Étain, and this story is recorded in one of the earliest surviving Irish manuscripts, the Yellow Book of Lecan.

This is a story of the fairy people of Ireland known as the Tuatha De Dannan. County Longford is thought to be the location of portals to the underground world of these mythical fairy people.

Perhaps you’ll find an entrance to their magical world as you travel this beautiful county.

The Book of Kells is one of Ireland’s most famous cultural treasures, and can be found carefully preserved and on display in Trinity College, Dublin.

The Book of Kells is the world’s most famous medieval manuscript and dates from the 9th century. It is a richly decorated copy of the four Gospels and portrays the life of Jesus Christ.

Today, I have some wonderful news to share. If you would like to further explore your Irish heritage and this important medieval artifact, then Trinity College is offering a free online course to help.

Now let me hand you over to the good folks at Trinity to fill you in on all the details. I hope you enjoy examining the lovely illustrations they shared from this priceless treasure ….

FREE Online Course Exploring Irish History Through The Book of Kells:

A new, free, online course developed by Trinity College Dublin will allow learners worldwide to explore the history of Ireland through the remarkable Book of Kells — one of the world’s most famous medieval manuscripts.

The ninth-century Book of Kells is one of Ireland’s greatest cultural treasures. A lavishly decorated copy of the four gospels written in Latin, it is set apart from other manuscripts of the same period by the quality of its artwork and the sheer number of illustrations that run throughout the 680 pages of the book.

Housed at the Library of Trinity College Dublin, the Book of Kells is one of the must-sees on the itinerary of visitors to Dublin.

Now members of the public around the world will have the opportunity to learn more about this precious manuscript through a new four-week online course.

What The Course Will Cover:

Learners on the course will explore the art, theology and materiality of the manuscript and the meanings that it holds.

Each week the course will explore a different side of the Book of Kells; its history, how it was made, interpreting its images, and what the book means for popular culture today.

At the end of the course learners will be able to explain the function and meanings of medieval Irish art; understand how medieval manuscripts were made and engage critically with methodologies and scholarly debates which have shaped interpretations of the period.

The course will also equip learners with knowledge of the distinctive features of the Irish Church in this era and an understanding of the visual, theological and historical characteristics of medieval material culture.

What The Course Professors and Designers Are Saying:

Rachel Moss, Associate Professor in the History of Art and Architecture, and one of the course designers, commented:

“Every year the campus of Trinity fills with expectant visitors, keen to see the world famous Book of Kells for themselves. There are few experiences to beat the experience of gazing on these precious pages, and imagining who else has shared that privilege over the past 1,200 years. The longer you dwell, the more detail reveals itself, and the more intriguing the manuscript becomes.”

“In this course we look forward to being able to share the manuscript with those who have yet to see it for themselves, and share it again with those that have. The course will bring the learner beyond that initial encounter to explore its minute and intricate art, how it was made and what it might have meant to its makers.”

“The course will not just dwell in the past. The manuscript is extraordinary in the way in which it has managed to grip the public imagination up to the present day. Despite centuries of scholarship, new research continues to disentangle some of the enigmas that it presents.”

“Growing up in Ireland I always knew that the Book of Kells was a great Irish treasure. But it wasn’t until I began to study it from the point of view of theology that I began to appreciate the wealth of insight to be gleaned from this important manuscript. It is a text both of great beauty, and of great learning.”

“The more I learn about the Book of Kells the more amazed I am at the scholarship of the people of these islands, perched as it then was at the edge of the Western world. In this course we hope to share something of this ‘learned beauty’.”

“A particular richness of this course for me has been the opportunity to work with art historians and colleagues in the Library. The intersection of art and theology, and insights into the work of the custodians of the manuscript, adds greatly to the course.”

About the Book of Kells:

The Book of Kells is one of the world’s greatest medieval treasures. It is a lavishly decorated copy of the four gospels written in Latin with supporting texts.

It is set apart from other manuscripts of the same period by the quality of its artwork and the sheer number of illustrations that run throughout the 680 pages of the book.

It was intended for ceremonial use on special occasions such as Easter rather than for everyday use.

It is not known exactly when the Book of Kells was written but it is thought that it may have been around 800 AD.

It was written and illustrated by hand using all of carefully prepared materials including vellum, inks and pigments. It is believed that the Book of Kells was written in a monastery founded by St Colum Cille on Iona in Scotland.

Viking raids were widespread at the time of the creation of the Book of Kells and it became too dangerous for the monks to continue living on the island. The monks fled from Iona to their newly established monastery in Kells, Co Meath, around 807AD.

It is not known if the book was written wholly in Iona or if part of it was written in Kells, but we know that it remained in Kells throughout the Middle Ages and eventually, it was placed in the Library of Trinity College by Bishop Henry Jones of Meath in 1661.

Thank You To Trinity College Dublin:

Images and illustrations from the Book of Kells were reproduced with permission from Trinity College.

Many thanks to Fiona Tyrrell, Press Officer for the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and Trinity College for sharing news of this wonderful course.

The Irish people love stories of the faeries and the spirit world. And so, as you can only imagine, there are spirits associated with Dunamase.

The most famous spirit is that of a mystical guard dog.

There’s treasure reputed to have been buried beneath the Rock of Dunamase. But don’t bother trying to find it. A huge faerie mastiff, called Bandog, guards the hidden loot.

And Bandog is no ordinary guard dog. Fiery flames fly out of his gaping mouth, so steer clear of this half-dog, half-dragon, Irish mythological creature.

And for some, Dunamase truly is a spiritual place.

It has been identified as a thin place by one or two readers of Irish American Mom.

The church near the castle and beside the parking lot is called Holy Trinity church and is still in use today. Built in the 1860’s you’ll find interesting headstones beside it, if like me, you are interested in wandering through graveyards.

Dunamase may be off the beaten track for many tourists, but it’s easy to get there from the M7 motorway.

This national monument is in state care, but there are no facilities or stores at the site. However, there’s a nice parking area beside the church, so you don’t have to abandon your car on the side of a narrow country lane.

There’s a little climbing involved, and for those with impaired mobility, accessibility is poor.

And there you have it! My little tour of the Rock of Dunamase, an ancient castle ruin in the middle of Ireland.

The Gospel of Mary is a Celtic mystery and the third book in the Sister Deirdre series by author Philip Freeman.

In 6th century Ireland, a young nun from the monastery of St. Brigid in Kildare, finds herself the guardian of a mysterious manuscript claiming to be the lost gospel of Mary. Realizing leaders of the church are willing to kill to get their hands on it, Sr. Deirdre is faced with a dilemma. Does she hand it over to the authorities or is she willing to risk her life to save the manuscript?

Thanks to Pegasus Books I have copies of The Gospel of Mary as prizes for two lucky readers to win. But before I share the details of how to enter the giveaway, let’s first learn a little more about this intriguing Celtic tale.

Note: I received a review copy of this book from Pegasus Books for the purposes of writing this blog post. The views expressed are my own.

Sister Deirdre Mysteries:

Sister Deirdre is the heroine of a series of evocative Celtic novels set in the times when druids roamed the Emerald Isle, and Christianity was in its infancy.

Trained as a bard and raised by a druid grandmother, Deirdre is a spunky woman who draws upon her experiences as a bard and as a nun, to undertake a perilous adventure to protect a precious manuscript.

Here’s a look at the book summary from the inside jacket ….

“An old and dying nun has turned up at Deirdre’s monastery in Ireland with an ancient manuscript on a papyrus roll. When Deirdre reads the first line, she realizes it claims to be a previously unknown gospel written by Mary, the mother of Jesus. The church authorities in Rome have been seeking to destroy this gospel for centuries, claiming it is a forgery that threatens the very foundations of the faith.

Deirdre begins to translate the gospel, but when a delegate of the pope arrives in Kildare searching for the text, she must set out across Ireland seeking safety as the church and its henchmen are hot on her trail. What does the gospel say? And why is the church so afraid of it?”

A Series Of Celtic Mysteries:

This book is the third in the Sister Deirdre series. But don’t worry if you have not read the other books. Following this mystery is not dependent on any facts or clues you might have garnered in the first two books.

I found this book to be a very enjoyable read, seamlessly blending information about the Druidic and Celtic traditions with Irish Christian history.

It is a quick, enthralling read, keeping up a steady pace throughout. Described as a mystery, I would consider this book more historical adventure than thriller, since you will not come away from the book feeling like an accomplished Celtic sleuth. Instead, the reader follows Sister Deirdre as she cunningly evades her pursuers, all the while enjoying insights into what life might have been like in Ireland 1500 years ago.

This short novel includes a fictional translation of Our Lady’s life story. Told in a modern voice, this “gospel” of Mary is a simple, touching account of the the New Testament from a woman’s point of view. This examination of Mary’s life, together with her emotional suffering and sacrifices, was thought-provoking and well written.

Sister Deidre is a strong, determined character and an able woman, whose thoughts and views may appear incredibly contemporary at first. Her views on equal rights and women’s roles may seem out of place for Ancient Ireland, but Philip Freeman is a scholar of Celtic history and it shows.

Brehon Law was the rule of the land at the time. These ancient Irish laws granted women the right to be rulers, like Queen Maeve of Connacht, to lead armies and be warriors, to act as druids, and to independently possess wealth and property. They entered marriage on an equal footing with their husbands.

Ancient Ireland was way ahead of its time, and Freeman’s novel reflects the progressive view of women at the time.

But I digress, as I am accustomed to do. Brehon Law is a subject for another day.

Reviews of The Gospel of Mary:

Here are a selection of reviews for this entertaining Celtic adventure….

“Freeman’s command of life in the ancient world is impressive,

and he has an admirably efficient way with a plot.

An absorbing story.”

~ Historical Novels Review

“This is a generous-spirited, gracefully written book.

Sure it is a page-turning mystery story,

but it is also a warm hearted look at

what people need from religion.

It is also a compelling, critical look at the structures

and hierarchies that surround religion.”

~ Irish American News

“[The Gospel of Mary] moves at a crackling pace

and is surprisingly packed with excitement,

emotion, and colorful characters.

This is as much a mother’s—and woman’s—story

as it is a historical and religious adventure.

Freeman does a very impressive job considering he is neither.”

~ Criminal Element

About Philip Freeman:

Philip Freeman received his Ph.D. in Classics and Celtic Studies from Harvard University. He lives in Malibu, California and holds the Fletcher Jones Chair in Western Culture at Pepperdine University.

The author of twenty books, including three in the Sister Deirdre series, his main focus is writing books which draw upon his in-depth knowledge of ancient history and the classics.

Saint Brigid’s Bones and Sacrifice are the first two books in the Sister Deirdre series.

The Giveaway:

Two lucky readers will win copies of The Gospel of Mary by Philip Freeman.

To enter just leave a comment on this blog post by noon on Sunday, April 1st, 2018.

Any comment will do. What you write does not affect your chance of winning, but if you need inspiration why not tell us if you have a favorite Irish quotation.

A winning comment will be chosen randomly. Remember to leave your e-mail so that I can contact you should you win. Your e-mail won’t be published, just used to contact our lucky contestant for mailing of the prize.

The winner will be announced Sunday, April 1st, 2018, at the bottom of this blog post.

You may check out Irish American Mom’s complete terms and conditions for sweepstakes’ entries by clicking here.